Pastor David Ibiyeomie’s $2 Million Watch Statement Triggers Backlash as Davido’s ₦10M Cash Gift Dominates Social Media

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A wave of heated reactions has swept across Nigerian social media after Pastor David Ibiyeomie, founder of Salvation Ministries, disclosed during a church service that his collection of luxury wristwatches is valued at approximately $2 million.

In a video clip now widely shared online, the cleric stated that he had not worn many of the watches and clarified that they were gifts from individuals he had helped, emphasizing that he did not purchase them with church funds. The remarks quickly sparked mixed reactions, with critics describing the statement as poorly timed given Nigeria’s current economic challenges.

According to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics and the World Bank, inflationary pressures and multidimensional poverty continue to impact millions of Nigerians. Social commentators argued that discussions of personal luxury from the pulpit may appear insensitive during a period marked by rising food prices, unemployment, and financial strain.

Popular online analyst Daniel Regha criticized the optics of the comment, while other users referenced biblical teachings on modesty and generosity. However, supporters of Pastor Ibiyeomie defended him, insisting that receiving personal gifts is not improper and highlighting the church’s reported charitable programs, including scholarships, welfare outreach, and community development initiatives.

In a separate but equally viral development, Afrobeats superstar Davido earned widespread praise after gifting over ₦10 million in cash to a viral TikTok chef known as Jaskaro following a private meal. Videos circulating online show Davido presenting a bag of cash to the chef and his mother in appreciation for their hospitality.

The gesture was celebrated by many fans as a heartfelt act of generosity. While a few commentators suggested that a discreet bank transfer might have been safer, the overall reaction to Davido’s act was largely positive.

The two incidents — unfolding within the same week — have intensified conversations about wealth, humility, responsibility, and public perception. Analysts say that in times of economic hardship, high-profile figures are often judged not only by their success but by how they communicate and demonstrate social awareness.

As debates trend across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, Nigerians remain divided over what constitutes appropriate public conduct for religious leaders and entertainers alike.

With the country navigating persistent economic challenges, the contrasting reactions to Pastor Ibiyeomie’s statement and Davido’s cash gift underscore how sensitive issues of wealth and generosity have become in the national discourse.